Johnson County Health Department - EPI Update Newsletter

ARTICLES:

JCHD Sponsors First Annual Drive-Thru Flu Clinic

Public Health Emergency Program Staff Bio: Tabitha Wagoner

2007-2008 Flu Vaccine Information

Disease Reporting Notes

For an explanation of the Homeland Security Advisory System and recommendations from the US Dept of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross on recommended activities at each level,
click here.

Olathe:
11875 S. Sunset Dr.
Suite 300
Olathe, KS 66061
PH: 913.894.2525
FX: 913.477.8048

Mission:
6000 Lamar
Suite 140
Mission, KS 66202
PH: 913.826.1200
FX: 913.826.1210

Most people think of a “drive-thru” as a method for ordering food or picking up prescriptions at a pharmacy. Now, you can get your flu shot the same way.
The Johnson County Health Department is holding a drive-thru influenza vaccination clinic on October 27, 2007, in the Northeast Offices parking lot, 6000 Lamar, Mission, KS.
The free vaccine will be available to individuals 18 years and older on a first-come, first-served basis. Clinic hours are from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., or until supplies last.
Health Department officials are looking forward to trying this newer approach to vaccination. “We are confident that this event will go well and we can continue drive-thru clinics in the future,” said Nancy Tausz, Disease Containment Division Director.

There have been four confirmed cases of rabid bats reported to the Johnson County Health Department since August 31st.
Bat exposures are often difficult to determine. If bats are found in your home, especially in areas where individuals are sleeping (especially children, elderly or those unable to communicate), you should contact local animal control officers or professional pest control companies to remove the bats and have them submitted for rabies testing. You should talk to your doctor about possibly receiving post-exposure vaccines.
You should never wait until symptoms start. By the time symptoms develop, it is too late for treatment and rabies is a fatal illness. There are currently no tests available to diagnose rabies in people prior to the onset of symptoms.
Keeping bats out of your home is easy by following a few simple steps.

Do not leave unscreened doors or windows open to the outside. Make sure all doors that open to the outside close tightly.
Make sure doors and windows are screened, chimneys are capped, and electrical and plumbing openings in the structure are plugged.
Seal openings larger than ¼ inch by ½ inch square that would allow access into the attic, basement, walls, or living areas of a structure.
Utilize materials to seal or cover gaps and holes including spray-on expanding foam, wire mesh, netting, caulk, or tight-fitting wood. Steel wool or caulking can be utilized around pipes that enter buildings.

The Johnson County Health Department suggests extreme caution in dealing with all animals,
especially unfamiliar ones, to reduce the risk of being bitten.

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Tabitha Wagoner is the newest member of the Public Health Emergency Program staff, starting as a Program Aide in July 2007. She first started at the Health Department in 2004 working her way up in the Health Education Division first as an intern, a contractor, then relief staff and finally a full-time Health Educator in October 2006.
Tabitha’s current position involves processing orders, taking meeting minutes and updating contact lists for the program.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from the University of Kansas, graduating in December of 2004.

2007-2008 Flu Vaccine Information

This year’s flu vaccine contains the following prototype strains: A/Solomon Islands/3/2006(H1N1), A/Wisconsin/67/2005(H3N2), and B/Malaysia/2506/2004.

Children six months to eight years of age receiving flu vaccine for the first time need two doses to be considered fully vaccinated. If a child is not given the second dose, they will need two doses the following year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states October or November is the best time to get your flu shot. In Kansas, flu season peaks in February or later, so vaccination any time from October to March is recommended. The single best way to prevent flu is to get a vaccination every year.

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Disease Reporting Notes:

If you have any questions about the monthly Epi Update, or any other disease surveillance or containment questions, please contact Nancy Tausz, RN, BSN, Director of the Disease Containment Division, at (913) 477-8362 or by email at: Nancy.Tausz@jocogov.org.

Communicable disease reporting is the cornerstone of public health surveillance and disease control. Please remember to maintain an index of suspicion for bioterrorism and reportable disease, and give the Disease Containment staff a call if you have any questions or concerns at (913) 826-1303. On behalf of the Johnson County Health Department, thank you for your continued support.

Johnson County government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age and handicapped status in employment or the provision of programs and services.